P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Yamaha “further than ever” from rival MotoGP manufacturers after Qatar GP
The Japanese manufacturer experienced its first winless season in 20 years in MotoGP last year as its performance declined with the M1 model. Despite receiving concessions and adding engineering talent from rival teams, Yamaha struggled to improve its standings in 2024. In a challenging race, 2021 world champion Quartararo finished in 11th place due to tire wear issues, while teammate Alex Rins finished 16th on his Yamaha debut. Quartararo criticized Yamaha’s current position compared to other manufacturers, acknowledging that they are further behind than ever before. He highlighted the bike’s lack of speed on fresh tires and the loss of strength in long corners, which has raised concerns within the team. Quartararo’s race strategy involved managing tire wear by adjusting engine settings, but the team recognized the need to address their shortcomings in acceleration zones to remain competitive.
